Hidden gems in the South?

[Merseysider]

Hello all, looking for inspiration...

I have 10th - 16th April off work and would like to get down south again, but this time to somewhere new.

I'm based in Birmingham and have been to pretty much all the major cities south of here already (bar Colchester and Winchester but they're in the works) and any suggestions of towns / villages with interesting museums, walking routes, history, railway heritage etc would be highly appreciated.

Bonus points if the route there is particularly scenic / if the trip involves XC - I'm perhaps in the minority here but I love the Voyagers. Oh and the chance to grab an HST would be nice also.

No limit really on journey time / cost.

Cheers

 

[W-on-Sea]

Arundel is great. Scenic setting, castle and cathedral both right in the city centre, and at least when I was last there, at least one really fabulous second-hand bookshop

 

[AM9]

Hello all, looking for inspiration...

I have 10th - 16th April off work and would like to get down south again, but this time to somewhere new.

I'm based in Birmingham and have been to pretty much all the major cities south of here already (bar Colchester and Winchester but they're in the works) and any suggestions of towns / villages with interesting museums, walking routes, history, railway heritage etc would be highly appreciated.

Bonus points if the route there is particularly scenic / if the trip involves XC - I'm perhaps in the minority here but I love the Voyagers. Oh and the chance to grab an HST would be nice also.

No limit really on journey time / cost.

Cheers

If you haven't already been here, St Albans can be an interesting one-day destination:
pleasant city with several Roman remains

Abbey and Cathedral with the longest nave in England​

Organ (musical) Museum​

Roman Theatre​

Branch line from Watford Junction, operated with Class 350's and no active signalling​

footpaths on two closed branch lines: Alban Way to Hatfield and Nicky line from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden​

Quite a few decent pubs as CamRA's head office is in the city.​

 

[Gloster]

Arundel is great. Scenic setting, castle and cathedral both right in the city centre, and at least when I was last there, at least one really fabulous second-hand bookshop

I think the bookshop (Kim’s) is still there. I hope so as I will be going on a book hunt to its sister shop in Chichester in a couple of days and the website still shows it as open, although the site hasn’t been updated for a few months (the last entry was about the Arundel branch being closed for a few days last October as it was being used for filming). If you visit the shop, work out the maximum amount of time you normally spend in a bookshop…and then double it.

 

[Merseysider]

Thanks - these are excellent suggestions!

Snagged the Premier Inn in Arundel for £50 for the Monday night - rest of the week is pretty much double that so must be popular! Looks like the castle, whilst temporarily shut, is reopening on 1st April - perfect timing.

St Albans looks interesting for sure - looks like it deserves a full day at least. I do love Roman history

 

[dastocks]

Arundel is great. Scenic setting, castle and cathedral both right in the city town centre, and at least when I was last there, at least one really fabulous second-hand bookshop

I don't think the castle is open during the winter, so best to check.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you're a real Voyager lover, enjoy them without the overcrowding and travel to London via Chester, if you're a Merseysider as your profile suggests!

 

[bramling]

If you haven't already beenm here, St Albans can be an interesting one-day destination:
pleasant city with several Roman remains

Abbey and Cathedral with the longest nave in England​

Organ (musical) Museum​

Roman Theatre​

Branch line from Watford Junction, operated with Class 350's and no active signalling​

footpaths on two closed branch lines: Alban Way to Hatfield and Nicky line from Hemel Hempstead to Harpenden​

Quite a few decvent pubs as CamRA's head office is in the city.​

Don’t forget the preserved City South signal box at the southern end of St Albans City station, though it’s only open occasionally.

There’s also the Ayot Greenway footpath relatively nearby, which is quite a pleasant walk (and one which I seem to be frequenting rather frequently at the moment for marathon conditioning running!). The restored disused station at Wheathampstead (not on the actual path but nearby) is quite well done.

 

[Merseysider]

If you're a real Voyager lover, enjoy them without the overcrowding and travel to London via Chester, if you're a Merseysider as your profile suggests!

I've left that neck of the woods - in Brum nowadays (but I do like the first class on the Avanti Voyagers!)

There’s also the Ayot Greenway footpath relatively nearby, which is quite a pleasant walk

Good shout! That'll be one to do, most likely following the German tradition of Wegbier, particularly as the weather should be a bit more dry by then.

 

[67thave]

I'd vouch for Ely.

It's reachable via XC, has a rich history (most notably in regards to the cathedral and Oliver Cromwell) and a large variety of TOCs for a small station if you want to do some trainspotting (EMR, Greater Anglia, XC, and GTR - not sure about the freight situation there).

 

[Merseysider]

I'd vouch for Ely.

It's reachable via XC, has a rich history (most notably in regards to the cathedral and Oliver Cromwell) and a large variety of TOCs for a small station if you want to do some trainspotting (EMR, Greater Anglia, XC, and GTR - not sure about the freight situation there).

Cheers - that's definitely doable in a day trip from Brum (or even continuing from St Albans going via London).

One of those places I've been through countless times on the way to Cambridge or the wonderful Stansted Airport but never stopped off at.

 

[AM9]

Don’t forget the preserved City South signal box at the southern end of St Albans City station, though it’s only open occasionally.

There’s also the Ayot Greenway footpath relatively nearby, which is quite a pleasant walk (and one which I seem to be frequenting rather frequently at the moment for marathon conditioning running!). The restored disused station at Wheathampstead (not on the actual path but nearby) is quite well done.

Ooops! yes apologies to @John Webb, I should have remembered that!
There also a partial representation of Nast Hyde station plus the intact station building of the former St Albans London Road station on the Alban Way.View them?

 

[MikeWM]

I'd vouch for Ely.

It's reachable via XC, has a rich history (most notably in regards to the cathedral and Oliver Cromwell) and a large variety of TOCs for a small station if you want to do some trainspotting (EMR, Greater Anglia, XC, and GTR - not sure about the freight situation there).

Seconded, though given I live here I'm a little biased There's a good quantity of freight going through the station, though I'm not really a freight spotter so I don't know if its the type that interests people, or not. And if you're up for a slight excursion you can have a longer look at whatever old stock is currently in store at Potters, at least compared to zooming past on the train.

I'd add there's a very good independent bookshop in the city centre ('Topping Books'), and a decent variety of available walks of various length available nearby, that cross/parallel the railway infrastructure in a number of interesting ways. And of course Queen Adelaide is nearby, if the rather unusual three level crossings in a row is of interest.

 

[AM9]

Seconded, though given I live here I'm a little biased There's a good quantity of freight going through the station, though I'm not really a freight spotter so I don't know if its the type that interests people, or not. And if you're up for a slight excursion you can have a longer look at whatever old stock is currently in store at Potters, at least compared to zooming past on the train.

I'd add there's a very good independent bookshop in the city centre ('Topping Books'), and a decent variety of available walks of various length available nearby, that cross/parallel the railway infrastructure in a number of interesting ways. And of course Queen Adelaide is nearby, if the rather unusual three level crossings in a row is of interest.

Also from a fairly rare point of view the long 'run round' loop to the north of the station is a pretty rare feature on UK railways.

 

[Snow1964]

Always worth looking at the GWR rovers, there are 3 days in 7 or 8 days in 15.

The Thames & Severn might be of interest as covers Portsmouth and goes right up to Worcester, so might cover big chunk of your outward and return journey too

GWR Rovers and Rangers tickets | Book online | Great Western Railway

Unlock unlimited travel across the West with Rover tickets and Ranger tickets. Explore new destinations and save on your journey. Book direct here.

www.gwr.com

plenty of historic places, Bath, Salisbury. Portsmouth dockyard, Dorchester (& Poundbury), Worcester, Gloucester etc.

 

[MikeWM]

Also from a fairly rare point of view the long 'run round' loop to the north of the station is a pretty rare feature on UK railways.

It is - and you can cross it on foot just off Prickwillow Road, cross a field, cross the Peterborough line over a tiny foot stile, and then walk *incredibly* close (there's a fence inbetween, but it is really really close) to the Kings Lynn line up to Queen Adelaide, which I find quite a fascinating journey; I don't think I've had a similar experience anywhere else.

(Note that they're intending to close much of this route if they ever get around to doing the Ely North upgrade, so anyone interested in this may want to do it sooner rather than later).

 

[Shimbleshanks]

If you like Voyagers, why not head down to Southampton and then sample the Hythe ferry and Hythe Pier Tramway, which is currently under threat of closure? A couple of nice pubs in Hythe.

 

[Merseysider]

If you like Voyagers, why not head down to Southampton and then sample the Hythe ferry and Hythe Pier Tramway, which is currently under threat of closure? A couple of nice pubs in Hythe.

Cheers for the heads up! I can head down early on the 10th, providing Easter Monday doesn't stop the ferry and tram running, and via SOU is the way I was planning on going to reach Arundel. I'm sensing some photo opportunities

Note that they're intending to close much of this route if they ever get around to doing the Ely North upgrade, so anyone interested in this may want to do it sooner rather than later

I suppose I'll have to

Always worth looking at the GWR rovers, there are 3 days in 7 or 8 days in 15.

The Thames & Severn might be of interest as covers Portsmouth and goes right up to Worcester, so might cover big chunk of your outward and return journey too

GWR Rovers and Rangers tickets | Book online | Great Western Railway

Unlock unlimited travel across the West with Rover tickets and Ranger tickets. Explore new destinations and save on your journey. Book direct here.

www.gwr.com

plenty of historic places, Bath, Salisbury. Portsmouth dockyard, Dorchester (& Poundbury), Worcester, Gloucester etc.

Appreciate the suggestions Would make sense to travel around a bit while I'm down there.

I love Gloucester (markets when they run are exceptional) and Bath (though last time I visited the queue for the Roman Baths was ridiculous, so maybe this time...).

Think that's half my week sorted already, cheers so far folks

 

[John Webb]

Don’t forget the preserved City South signal box at the southern end of St Albans City station, though it’s only open occasionally.

There’s also the Ayot Greenway footpath relatively nearby, which is quite a pleasant walk (and one which I seem to be frequenting rather frequently at the moment for marathon conditioning running!). The restored disused station at Wheathampstead (not on the actual path but nearby) is quite well done.

Ooops! yes apologies to @John Webb, I should have remembered that!
There also a partial representation of Nast Hyde station plus the intact station building of the former St Albans London Road station on the Alban Way.View them?

I regret to say that St Albans South box is open only on the afternoons of Sunday 9th and 23rd April, so outside your time off - my apologies!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Thanks - these are excellent suggestions!

Snagged the Premier Inn in Arundel for £50 for the Monday night - rest of the week is pretty much double that so must be popular! Looks like the castle, whilst temporarily shut, is reopening on 1st April - perfect timing.

St Albans looks interesting for sure - looks like it deserves a full day at least. I do love Roman history

When heading for Arundel instead of travelling the direct route via Crawley try the alternative via Leatherhead, Dorking and Horsham. Very pretty south of Dorking as the line skirts the Surrey Hills AONB and at least one vineyard adjacent to the line.

 

[Merseysider]

Ticket down to SOU sorted for a tad under £30 thanks to Trainsplit Not too far from there to Arundel.

When heading for Arundel instead of travelling the direct route via Crawley try the alternative via Leatherhead, Dorking and Horsham. Very pretty south of Dorking as the line skirts the Surrey Hills AONB and at least one vineyard adjacent to the line.

Ta for the suggestion - will do (in reverse) on the way up to London

 

[SuspectUsual]

Bradford on Avon is lovely. Nice walks along the canal to Avoncliff (pint in the Cross Guns) and then onwards towards Freshford and Bath

 

[birchesgreen]

Get a North Downs Day Ranger and explore between Reading and Redhill.

 

[cactustwirly]

I was going to suggest Box Hill and Westhumble not much to do, but very scenic and lots of walking routes. You can then travel to Arundel via Dorking

Could travel to Henley and walk along the Thames path to Marlow. The branch is interesting as it has the reversal at Bourne End.

There's also Windsor Great park, you can walk from the back end of Windsor castle to Runnymede

 

[Ken H]

Nip over to Isle of wight. Cowes is OK and so is Yarmouth. Maybe get the hovercraft.
I quite like a go on the Woolwich Free Ferry. And go look at the Gypsy Moth yacht at Woolwich. Sir Francis Chicester sailed round the world on that little ship.
St Nicholas Market Bristol. Be there at lunchtime! Lots of street food.
The little water bus in bristol on the floating harbour is a nice trip.
Weymouth is good. Love the harbour. Even take a bus onto Portland.
Old Portsmouth is worth a look - watch the shipping by the Spice Island pub. And the gosport ferry.
Volks railway brighton
Stockbridge is pretty.
I have always wanted to go to Bekonscot model town in Beaconsfield.

 

[306024]

Cheers - that's definitely doable in a day trip from Brum (or even continuing from St Albans going via London).

One of those places I've been through countless times on the way to Cambridge or the wonderful Stansted Airport but never stopped off at.

And if thirsty after all the walking @MikeWM is suggesting this place has some bits of railwayana:
https://www.draymansely.co.uk/

 

[alistairlees]

If you like a coastal walk, then both Folkestone to Dover, and Dover to Walmer / Deal, are excellent. Great castles in Dover and Walmer (don't go to Deal castle!), and interesting towns / pubs in Folkestone / Deal (but not really in Dover, so start from there and end in one of the other two). And, on a sunny day, the cliff top walk is spectacular (Dover to Deal is the easier walk). Might involve a night away realistically though.

Hastings / Rye / Battle also worth visiting, plenty of good walks that can be recommended around there.

 

[ChrisC]

I’ve only just seen this thread but so many places already mentioned I would also recommend. I’ve visited so many of them during these last few years since I retired. Definitely agree about Arundel but whilst in the area the Amberley Museum is well worth a visit. Its right next to Amberley Station, the next Station up the line from Arundel. It’s only open a few days a week this time of the year but I can remember spending a good few hours there when I visited. Difficult to explain what’s there, best to look at website but there’s vintage buses, narrow gauge railway and very much an industrial heritage museum.

 

[Lloyds siding]

Bradford on Avon is lovely. Nice walks along the canal to Avoncliff (pint in the Cross Guns) and then onwards towards Freshford and Bath

seconded!

 

[Lloyds siding]

If you're a real Voyager lover, enjoy them without the overcrowding and travel to London via Chester, if you're a Merseysider as your profile suggests!

agree with that too!